Chapter Text
“ – really don’t see the point,” grumbles Johanna.
I find myself tuning in and out of the conversation at hand. Johanna and Beetee are hotly contesting the inclusion of the Tour of Remembrance into the Liberation celebrations.
Peeta is buried in his sketchbook, opting between hues of pinks, oranges and yellows. It’s a colorful, optimistic palette – today is a good day. Painting and baking. This is how I gage his mood, more often than I care to admit.
But I really don’t want to think about us today.
I hope that Greasy Sae has remembered to feed Buttercup while I’m gone.
“Well, I think we should vote on it,” asks Beetee.
Johanna rolls her eyes. “Right, because that’s worked so well in the past.”
In this moment, I want to remind Johanna that she voted in favor of the Capitol Games.
However, I know this would not go down well, so I stay silent.
Besides, so did I.
“I know that President Paylor encourages it,” says Beetee.
Enobaria fixes him with a peculiar look. “And why is that?”
“She thinks it will be healthy for us.”
Johanna snorts. Haymitch, who has remained silent, scoffs loudly.
“Healthy. That’s us alright, the picture of health,” he laughs, taking a swig from his flask.
Annie speaks up, her voice trembling. “Well, I want to remember them. Not just Finnick and Mags, but the others. And the ones who… who…”
“Didn’t make it back,” Johanna finishes and Annie moans, burying her face in her hands.
Another vaguely familiar victor from District 4 wraps his arm around Annie and shakes his head.
“Nice one, Jo.”
She shrugs in response.
It’s Annie’s point that gets to me most and I find myself speaking up.
“I think it’s a good idea.”
The rest of the room stares at me.
“Well,” I say, a little too defensively. “I didn’t know the other victors like you did. Not personally. And considering a lot of them died because of me, you could say I owe them.”
Enobaria’s mouth tightens. “I’m glad to hear you say it, Everdeen.”
Johanna throws her hands up. “Oh, well, if the Mocking-girl On Fire deems it so, who are the rest of us to defy her?”
I shoot her daggers, which she returns with a grin.
“So, is it decided?” Beetee asks.
The rest of the room mumbles consent.
“Good. Well, as it happens, I began some research – “
Johanna mutters an expletive.
“– and I think it would be good to begin as soon as we can. Get ahead of the tour, so to speak.”
I’m a little overwhelmed. “Alright. Where do we start?”
Beetee looks over at Enobaria, whose face lights up with her bright, fanged smile.